Bonnaroo is shaping up to be a tasty affair

Oh to be a fly on the farm at Woodstock to see what they ate at festivals in 1969 (besides mushrooms and brown acid, of course). But it couldn’t possibly be tastier than what I hope to put away at Bonnaroo.

Yes, I want to see bands like Radiohead and The Shins, but I’m planning my eating schedule like some people plan playlists. Judging by the Bonnaroo app on my phone alone, the day could begin with a breakfast pizza, then a wrap with house-made bacon scallion sauce, or a quinoa salad and later some African chickpeas with coconut rice as well as handmade doughnuts from an Amish baker. I could wash it down with iced coffee or a Red Bull smoothie to keep the energy up.

For sure, the culinary offerings at music festivals have come a long way from corndogs – though, yeah, I might taste one of those too since they’re hand-dipped and spiced with jalapenos and made of tofu if you like.

And as Bonnaroo goes into its 11th year in Manchester today, Kerry Black, co-founder of the festival and Superfly Presents, says that the focus has moved from just high-volume concessions to those that bring more interesting, local and international flavors.

“Every year, we’re trying to take it up a notch,” he said.

The food offerings have followed an overall uptick in interest over gourmet or more sustainable, local and organic foods. Bonnaroo, like its varied lineup, seems to have something for everyone.

“One thing we strive to do at all of our festivals is offer complete entertainment experiences,” Black said. “Why do I need to go to a concert and eat a hamburger that tastes like cardboard? Or why do I need to go to a restaurant and listen to muzak?”

An expanded Food Truck Oasis in its second year at the festival will bring nine trucks to the farm from around the South as far away as Miami or as near as Knoxville.

The 100 percent waste-free Planet Roo Café also will serve Pan-Seared Trout with Wilted Baby Spinach as well as Pecan Southern Stir Fry, Sesame Asparagus and Grilled Sweet Potatoes. A Bonnaroo Victory Garden at the café will show guests how to grow their own garden for sustainable eating.

Three popular restaurants from New York also will be represented including the pizzas from Roberta’s in Brooklyn as well as the Taiwanese street food of Baohaus served pop-up or free, flash mob style.

Eddie Huang of Baohaus said it’s his first year at the festival.

“I’m kind of, like, not the hippie guy,” he said. “But they lured me with Santigold and The Beach Boys this year.”

Plus Huang said he’s attracted to festivals that go beyond the standard.

“I like to be part of something that’s more thought-out and artistic,” he said.

But even with the newer options, Black said he looks forward to the local-est of the local – Manchester’s own Prater’s BBQ, a staple since the festival began and now a tradition for many.

“It seems like we’ve built a good customer base with a lot of repeat business,” said Gary Prater of Prater’s. “For a lot of people it’s like a reunion. I see people who come straight to us, because they know the food’s gonna be good.”

And good food -- and good music -- is what it’s all about. So as I find out firsthand what Bonnaroo has to offer (as well as what fans bring to eat along their way), follow along at Tennessean.com/bonnaroo or on Twitter at @jenniferjustus. Because it won't be brown acid for me, thanks -- though the pink Pepto-Bismol might do.